Armed Forces Chaplaincy arrangements
1. The aim of this memorandum is to outline
the Chaplains' involvement in:
(a) care and welfare at initial training
establishments,
(c) training the trainers.
Pastoral care and welfare at Initial Training
Establishments
2. Chaplains have a fundamental role in
the care and welfare support of trainees at Individual Training
Establishments (ITE) and lead in Moral Understanding and Character
education. Confidentiality is offered to all, whether staff or
trainee. Since trainees often use the chaplain as a friend and
advisor to pass on their particular concerns, trainees are sometimes
asked if they wish the chaplain to take their concerns further.
In such cases chaplains will only act with the explicit consent
of trainees.
3. Untrammelled access to chaplains is guaranteed.
Trainees are required to ensure that trainers are aware of their
movements and in a number of establishments this process is formalised.
Trainers may not deny access to chaplains or demand to know why
an appointment has been requested.
4. Care committees, which always have chaplains
and doctors as members, try to ensure that no trainee falls between
two welfare or caring agencies. An overall care policy in each
establishment tries to ensure that at-risk trainees have at least
one trusted point of contact and that contact is maintained for
as long as it is needed.
Setting policy
5. The setting of training and welfare policy
at establishment level is a command function and so chaplains
use their membership of management boards to ensure that a voice
is given to those requirements. Chaplains also use their right
of direct access to the Commanding Officer to bring to his attention
those cases that may inform the formation of policy.
6. Within the Personnel Headquarters, the
presence of Chaplaincy representation on a number of policy-making
bodies, including Principal Personnel Officers Boards of Management,
ensures that pastoral issues are aired at an appropriately high
level.
Training the trainers
Care of Trainees (COT) two-day course was developed
by and is delivered by Chaplains from Armed Forces Chaplaincy
Centre (AFCC). They are programmed to deliver 35 courses per year.
Standards of delivery are monitored by Defence College of Training
Support (DCTS). The course is offered to all trainers in Phases
1 & 2 establishments. Chaplains working in New Entry Training
Establishments are encouraged to participate in the course. There
are opportunities for senior officers to witness the training
and a number have done so.
7. Though most training is given at AFCC
some will be delivered in training establishments with chaplains
involved in its delivery. The DCI Gen 132/04 (copy attached) describes
the content of the course.
| 
